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Politician from Bergdahl hometown: Media, go away

The Associated Press

Updated:
06/11/2014 05:56:02 PM EDT

HAILEY, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho county commissioner held a press conference in the hometown of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl on Wednesday to tell reporters and outsiders to leave the town and the Bergdahl family alone.

The Times-News (http://bit.ly/1l20PVJ ) reported that Blaine County Commissioner Larry Schoen said people should stop attacking Bergdahl, his family and the people of Hailey for standing by the former prisoner of war.

Schoen said the town only wanted to see the local man reunited with his parents, Bob and Jani Bergdahl, after spending five years as a prisoner of the Taliban in Afghanistan.

"We only have wanted to support his family and to see Bowe returned safely to U.S. soil," Schoen said

Schoen said people in Hailey are sick of the attention and they're tired of being stopped by reporters asking questions.

"They've been answering questions politely and honestly, and hoping for the sake of the family that you all go away," Schoen said.

The commissioner also cautioned people from rushing to judgment about whether Bergdahl should face military charges over allegations that he abandoned his post.

"Be patient and allow the military justice process to work," he said.

Bergdahl was freed more than a week ago. Since his release, some have criticized the Obama administration for the deal in which five Taliban prisoners were swapped for his release. Some of Bergdahl's former colleagues have accused him of deserting his post before his capture.

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Hailey canceled a homecoming celebration planned for June 28 due to security concerns. The Bergdahl family and several other community members have been receiving threats, Schoen said.